Bully (2001)

A pack of naïve teenagers conspire to murder a mutual friend, whose aggressive demeanor has proved too much.

Director:

Larry Clark

Writers:

Jim Schutze (book), David McKenna (screenplay) (as Zachary Long)

Stars:

Brad Renfro, Nick Stahl, Bijou Phillips

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brad Renfro	...	Marty Puccio
Bijou Phillips	...	Ali Willis
Rachel Miner	...	Lisa Connelly
Nick Stahl	...	Bobby Kent
Michael Pitt	...	Donny Semenec
Leo Fitzpatrick	...	The Hitman
Kelli Garner	...	Heather Swallers
Daniel Franzese	...	Cousin Derek
Nathalie Paulding	...	Claudia
Jessica Sutta	...	Blonde
Ed Amatrudo	...	Mr. Kent (as Edward Amatrudo)
Steve Raulerson	...	Mr. Willis (as Steven Raulerson)
Judy Clayton	...	Mrs. Willis (as Judith Clayton)
Alan Lilly	...	Mr. Puccio
Irene B. Colletti	...	Mrs. Puccio

Storyline

After finding himself at the constant abuse of his best friend, Bobby, Marty has become fed up with his friend's twisted ways. His girlfriend, a victim of Bobby's often cruel ways, couldn't agree more and they strategize murdering Bobby, with a group of willing and unwilling participants in a small Florida town. In the midst of their plotting, they find themselves contemplating with the possible aftermath of what could happen.

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Plot Keywords:

cruelty | nudity | pubic hair | date rape | bully | 

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Taglines:

It's 4 a.m... do you know where your kids are?

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, sexual content, drug use and language - all involving teens

Details

Country:

USA France UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Bully

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles City Hall - 200 North Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$47,502, 15 July 2001

Gross USA:

$480,811

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$704,808

Company Credits

Production Co:

StudioCanal, Lions Gate Films, Muse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min 113 min (unrated)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The character of Heather wears a t-shirt bearing the logo of the Rockstar video game company. In 2006, Rockstar would release an unrelated game, also titled "Bully".

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Goofs

During the scene between Derek and Ms. Connelly, the boom is reflected in the window behind them, moving back and forth.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Marty: [on the phone with a customer] I want you to suck my big dick.
Mrs. Puccio: [from downstairs] Marty, honey, dinner!
Marty: [into the phone] I want you to lick my balls.

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Crazy Credits

This Picture only covers events up to and including the conclusion of the trial of the defendants depicted in this Picture. Following the trial, some defendants appealed. Here are the results of the various appeals as of the time of the making of this Picture: Lisa Connelly's sentence was reduced to 22 years. Alice Willis was sentenced to 17 years but shall be under community supervision for 40 years upon her release. Martin Puccio's sentence was reduced to life in prison

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Alternate Versions

The version shown on Cinemax is the edited R-rated version of the film and while most of the sex remains, the more explicit shots are removed.

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Connections

Spoofs Mortal Kombat (1992)

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Soundtracks

Bury the Evidence
Performed by Tricky
Written by Tricky (as Adrian Thaws), I. Broomfield
Courtesy of Hollywood Records
Courtesy of Epitaph Records
Published by Universal/Island Music Ltd.
Administered by Universal-MCA Music Publishing, ADO Universal Studios, Inc. (ASCAP)

User Reviews

So stark in it's from-a-true-story fashion it borders on personal ground

There's something about the kids in Larry Clark's films, such as this, Bully, and his 1995 classic Kids (which took place in New York and had the feel of an un-interviewed documentary), where the characters are brought so vividly to life, and their contemplations and actions in their dead-end lives, that I get reminded of the people I was around back in my grade school days (I've been out of the public school system for six months now). I remember the lay-abouts, the complainers, the overly medicated, and of course I remember the bullies, laying on abuse that sometimes they weren't even aware they were inflicting.

Nick Stahl plays Billy, bully among a circle of teenage friends in Hollywood, Florida, and his best friend from childhood is Marty, played with striking intensity by Brad Renfro, has been daily receiving torment, if not with punches and slaps, then more on the mental side. Soon, his girlfriend makes a suggestion "he should be killed", and very soon after that the circle of friends agree, and then it continues, along with a so-called hit man, a good small part for Fitzpatrick who was noteworthy in Kids.

There will be some out there who may not be able to stomach the elements - it's unrated, not a bad move, and there are as many moments of sex as in a Cinemax soft porn and as many moments of smoking dope as in a Method Man/Redman production - but that's all part of Clark's overall effect, and he pulls it off like a true craftsman and not as a overly exploitation film-maker. This circle of friends are a sad, hollow representation of the kinds of societies the youth of the nation inhabit, and the key is that it's correct, at least in such a banal suburbia. Grade: A